PRODUCTIVITY
UNIZIK Polymer Engineering Dept. Showcases Locally Made Innovations, Seeks Support for Expansion.
The Department of Polymer Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, has showcased its research and innovation capacity during a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ugochukwu Bond Stanley Anyaehie, seeking increased institutional support to expand its production and technological activities.
The visit, which took place at the Vice Chancellor’s Office on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, was led by the Head of Department, Dr. Anselm Ogah (Reader), and marked the department’s first official courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor since his assumption of office.
During the visit, Dr. Ogah presented some of the innovative products developed by the department, including a locally manufactured cryogenic flask designed for the transportation of vaccines, synthetic materials produced by the department, as well as clothing made from materials developed by its researchers.
The presentation highlighted the department’s capacity for research, innovation, local manufacturing and the development of products with practical applications in society.
Speaking during the visit, Dr. Ogah said the department had the potential to produce more innovative products for the University and the wider society but required additional funding, more personnel and an advanced composite laboratory to strengthen research, training and productivity.
Responding, Prof. Anyaehie commended the Department of Polymer Engineering for its efforts towards developing locally made products and urged it to take deliberate steps to patent its innovations.
The Vice Chancellor noted that proper patenting would ensure that the innovations were formally recognised as inventions of Nnamdi Azikiwe University while also providing opportunities for their protection and commercialisation.
Prof. Anyaehie challenged the department to explore avenues for generating revenue for the University through the commercialisation of its products, stressing the need for academic innovations to translate into tangible benefits for the institution and society.
He further advised the department to prioritise its needs and ensure that available resources were directed towards projects and equipment capable of delivering practical value and contributing meaningfully to the University’s development.
The Vice Chancellor also emphasised the importance of strengthening the technical workforce in engineering, noting that technologists play a critical role in translating research ideas and theoretical knowledge into practical inventions and marketable products.
He expressed confidence in Anambra State’s growing potential in science and technology and encouraged the department to leverage the state’s technological ecosystem to advance its research and innovative activities.
Prof. Anyaehie also acknowledged the department’s creativity when he was presented with clothing produced by the department.
On academic matters, the Vice Chancellor urged the department to expedite the processing and release of students’ results in preparation for the forthcoming convocation ceremony.
Among those present during the courtesy visit was Prof. Stone Raphael Odera, alongside other members of the department.
The visit provided an opportunity for the Department of Polymer Engineering to showcase its technological capabilities while receiving strategic guidance from the University administration on innovation, patenting, commercialisation, resource prioritisation and improved academic service delivery.
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